Internship Procedures for International Students
The Center for International Education and the Career Development Center work together to ensure your internship experience adheres to visa regulations.
Internships for international students
- Unpaid/Volunteer Internships
- Curricular Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Who can apply?
- Why would I participate in CPT?
- How do I apply?
- Is there a deadline?
- How do I find an internship?
Career Development Center's Internship Program
Questions regarding these procedures may be directed to:
Internships for international students
Unpaid/Volunteer Internships
- Unpaid/Volunteer Internships are open to all international students.
- Stipends and other forms of monetary compensation cannot be accepted.
- It is not necessary to seek eligibility for such an internship via the Center for International Education (CIE).
- Visit the Career Development Center's Internship Office, in Brotman Hall 250, for a Self-Placed Packet.
- An internship course is optional.
Curricular Practical Training
- CPT is an employment option available to students who have an F-1 visa.
- CPT internships are paid and require enrollment in an internship course..
- Students are able to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the regular semester, and a maximum of 40 hours per week during the summer and vacation
periods.
- The length of employment may not exceed a period of 12 months, unless for a degree requirement.
- Students MAY NOT begin work at their internship site until given final approval by CIE.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Who can apply?
All students MUST first be approved to participate in CPT by their CIE advisor.
Some initial requirements include:
- Any undergraduate student or graduate student with an F-1 visa.
- Student must have been in the US for at least 9 months.
- Graduating seniors and last semester graduate students are not eligible for CPT.
- Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units.
Why should I participate in CPT?
- CPT offers students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a professional environment.
Employers are often looking for more than good grades they want to hire student with practical work experience.
- Some academic programs require an internship, which is why many students apply for CPT.
How do I apply?
- First obtain approval to participate CPT by your CIE advisor.
- Discuss with your CIE advisor whether you will be enrolling in the Career Development Center's Internship Program or your department-based internship
program.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, the deadline to obtain CPT approval is the Add/Drop deadline for each semester.
How do I find an internship?
Start with BeachLINK
- Create a resume. (Resume workshops and Resume critiques are
available in the Career Development Center.)
- Log on to BeachLINK, create a profile, and upload your resume (Documents section).
- Click on the Jobs/Internship tab to search for internships.
- Once you have applied for an internship, you will be contacted at the discretion of the employer.
- If you are not contacted by the employer within 2 weeks, or if you cannot find an internship you are interested in please contact the Internship Program
Office for additional assistance at (562) 985-8463.
Career Development Center's Internship Program
CPT Procedures
- Once approved to participate in CPT by your CIE Advisor visit the Internship Office or a Career Counselor for assistance on locating an internship.
- When you have secured an internship you must bring the following documents to the Internship Program Office, located in the Career Development Center,
Brotman Hall 250:
- Detailed letter of offer from the employer (on company letterhead with representative's signature) listing specific duties, starting and ending date
for the position, and salary information. Pick up an Example Letter in the Internship Office.
- Memo from the Center for International Education which indicates the student's request for approval to engage in curricular practical training with
your advisors initials. This must be completed at least two weeks prior to intern employment start date.
3. Submit the above materials to the Internship Office and make an appointment to meet the Internship Program Coordinator.
4. The Internship Program Coordinator will review the documents listed above and provide specific information regarding the Internship Program's requirements.
5. If the internship is approved, the Internship Program Coordinator will then prepare a memo to be submitted to the Center for International Education,
certifying the student's enrollment in the Internship Program, and student's intent to participate in an approved internship course.
All students will be required to enroll in one of the approved internship
courses during the term in which they are completing the internship placement; summer interns will take the internship course in the Fall.
6. Copies of all documents listed above will be kept on file in the Internship Program office, and the student will return all original certification materials
to the Center for International Education for final approval.
7. Upon receipt of original certification materials by the Center for International Education, the student will then be allowed to begin working at the
assigned site.
Questions regarding these procedures may be directed to:
Center for International Education
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd. BH 201
Long Beach, CA 90840
voice: 562.985.4106
http://www.csulb.edu/centers/cie/
Internship Program
Career Development Center
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd. BH 250
Long Beach, CA 90840
voice: 562.985.8463
